Family tell of devastation after death of 13-year-old boy (From St Helens Star)

Family tell of devastation after death of 13-year-old Carl Eriksson

9:28am Thursday 10th January 2013 in News By Stephen Mather, Senior reporter

THE grief-stricken parents of a schoolboy who died suddenly at Christmas have described their “sense of utter shock and devastation.”

Carl Eriksson died following a short illness after becoming unwell on Christmas Day.

Initially the 13-year-old showed symptoms of a minor cold and spent much of the day in bed.

His dad, David Brownbill explained: “On Christmas morning he had been sick. His mum called the doctor, who managed to see him and he was given antibiotic medicine. He stayed in bed for the rest of the day, but we weren’t concerned.

“I felt sorry for him because it was Christmas Day and he was missing out.

“Around 11pm on Christmas night he came downstairs, so we thought there was an improvement. We told him to take his medicine, go to bed and have a good sleep. But around 5am, the change in his condition was unbelievable.”

David said that Carl had contracted influenza before developing MRSA.

He died in hospital on December 27 after being found collapsed on the bathroom floor of the family home in Sutton.

David added: “The doctors are baffled as to what’s happened.”

David, 42, and mum Elaine Eriksson, 35, described their son as “nothing like a typical 13-year-old.”

They added: “He was caring, loving and funny. He had an answer for everything, but was funny with it.”

A huge X Box fan, they said Carl who was a pupil at St Cuthbert’s in Sutton, was a “sensitive lad”, who enjoyed playing the clarinet. His dream was to one day move to the States and become a computer games designer.

Facebook has been swamped with tributes and his school friends are organising a charity event to raise money for Alder Hey.

Monica Gallimore, principal at St Cuthberts also paid tribute: "Carl was a much loved and valued member of St Cuthbert's family. He was a model pupil; hard working, cheerful, unassuming and a great friend.

"He was much respected by both staff and classmates. Carl will be greatly missed and our thoughts and prayers are especially with his family at this very sad time."

His funeral is to take place today (Thursday, January 10) at St Anne’s Church in Sutton, followed by burial at St Nicholas Church on New Street.